We Are All Not Called To Do But to Be
We are in a time where the word that must bring our peace (especially in eternity even more than here) must be shared with all men. Although many be able to tell that which makes for their peace, yet we have the sole responsibility to tell it the way it is, no sugarcoating. It is profitable.
See Luke 19:41-44 and Tim 3:16
One of such very important truth is this: our calling in Christ was not to works but to lifestyle. Not to ‘doing’, but rather to ‘being’. What do I mean? Doing may connote activities and work-based existence. While “being” connotes the act of living the stuff, living the life in itself.
Do you know that likewise, Jesus Christ has come into our lives to give us a life not a job? I learnt this at a time when I found myself, although a Christian, even a leader, yet still secretly struggling with sin.
And each time, it would seem like, rather than fall back on grace, I would resort to working for God. As if my service would compensate or offer me some excuse from my actions. Until the Holy Spirit began to teach me. For example,
He said, the scripture says that, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation… (2 Cor. 5:17)
Take note, he IS. It didn’t say, he DOES. The Lord makes us into someone we weren’t through salvation in Christ. That is how the Holy Spirit comes in and begins to change a man from who he used to be to a brand new person whose life in comparison to the past is sure better.
John 3:16 (…HAVE eternal life…). 1Tim. 2:3-4 (…SAVED and come into THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH…), John 8:32 (…ENTER A LIFE OF FREEDOM through the knowledge of Truth…).
Changing Focus
Many churchgoers can hide behind their religious works. Some can hide behind church responsibilities. However, that’s a misplaced positioning in Christ. I am not advocating for idleness in God’s Kingdom or in our local churches.
However, I am advocating for a change of focus. Are you committed to attending trainings to improve your religious skills while you neglect the fruits of godly character?
Are you and I very focused on carrying our bible to show we are Christians, or revealing Jesus in the bus, in traffic, at the park, in the office or business place, at school or wherever, through integrity, love, kindness, prayer, holiness, faith, etc.?
I want to be able to read my bible not just because it is good, nor because I want to be able to preach it, or tell people I’ve read through it, but because my soul needs it to survive. I want to be able to pray because of my personal relationship with the lover of my soul, and not because of church or problems.
I want to be able to give every time and everywhere because I have compassion and love in my heart, and not because I want to be seen or applauded or feel good by anyone. Apostle Paul called this, a much more excellent way (1Cor. 12:31 and 13:10-13).
Called to Be
Beloved, we are called to be. When you “are”, you naturally will do. But “doing” may not necessarily mean that you are. This is why hypocrisy is everywhere, secrets we are afraid to talk about.
Let us refocus and engage in personal spiritual growth process, allowing God to correct our motives and passion. Allowing God to heal our hearts and minds, touch our souls and make us his representatives in our world, not just in the Church.
I hope you gained understanding in what you have just read. Yes it is possible to be a better believer who has works proceeding out of who we are than out of what anyone expects us to do.
We are the light of the world. We are givers. We are forgivers. We are unconditional lovers. We are sacrificial. We are faithful and truthful. It is not what we do. It is who we are. And so, actions that men may see as works, flow from our being to a world that needs it.
Read: A Fresh Vision in Difficult Times
We aren’t so because of a profit to self or an impression to make. We are it because it is who we are in Christ. Behold I show you the path to peace and a more fulfilled life. If you feel you are not seeing yourself being, you can talk to the Lord about it.
Ask Him to purify your heart and ignite it with the fires of His altar. Tell Him your heart should be turned after those things His heart is turned towards. Tell Him to correct your motives and redirect your focus and passions to only those that please Him and makes you a better representative. Talk to Him today, in Jesus name, and He will answer. Amen!
James Osayande George lives by the mandate to reveal the liberating truth of God’s word in simplicity and accuracy through a cutting edge teaching ministry.
Having been saved at the young age of thirteen (13) years old through a Divine encounter, he has since dedicated himself to know and serve the Lord with his life.
Best known for his calm voice, James George has ministered in full-time ministry since 2014 within which period he served as one-time resident pastor of Glad Tidings Life Triumphant Church, Kaduna State, Nigeria under his spiritual father and mentor, Pastor Moses Enabulele.
A student of the prestigious Kenneth Hagin’s Rhema Bible Training Center, Nigeria, James George is the author and co-author of numerous published and unpublished manuscripts and poems for blogs and magazines, as well as books including Walking through the Word Devotional (a classic all year round devotional book). Your Journey and God is his first published book. He runs a blog at www.thischariot.wordpress.com
He is the pioneer of G. M. M. Network, a body of believers dedicated to church growth, spiritual development, youth, and women empowerment, as well as outreach to the less privileged. He currently resides in and does his ministry from Lagos State, Nigeria
